Barcelona faces a major test on Tuesday when it takes on Real Madrid for the first time this week.
One might think that with Barcelona's 16 point in the Spanish league the Catalan side would be team to measure up against, but the team's recent play has come under major scrutiny of late due to losses to AC Milan in the Champions league and Real Madrid on Tuesday in the Copa Del Rey semifinal.
In the first match, the team's offense was stifled while the latter saw them exposed and unable to contain the counterattack. The team has maintained a similar play style through these games and a few have speculated the lacking presence of manager Tito Vilanova has staggered the team's growth. Midfielder Andres Iniesta seems to agree with this assessment.
"It isn't easy without the presence of the first-team coach," the Barça midfielder Andrés Iniesta said. "It's been a long time and it's one more hurdle we have had to get over this season. We don't need him to return immediately now we have lost a couple of games. His health comes first, and we have confidence in those who are here."
Without Vilanova, assistant Jordi Roura has taken the reins but has shown an inability to modify or experiment with playing styles that can penetrate a defensive style that packs the penalty area and minimizes the space the Barça offense has to operate in. Roura has also shown an inability to manage the speedy counters of such squads as Madrid.
"We need to think hard about the two games we have lost, what we did well and where we can improve," Iniesta added about moving forward without Vilanova. "We need to recover the sensation of being a compact and infallible team and I am convinced we can do this. We shouldn't forget we are leaders in La Liga and we should try to maintain our advantage."